"..."
The shop manager was right.
Xiao Zhu fell silent.
"I know you have a lot of questions."
The shop manager smiled.
"Just be patient a little longer."
"I think you'll have your answers soon."
"Really?"
Xiao Zhu sounded uncertain.
Yet he had already taken a seat on the single sofa beside the shop manager.
"Then I'll take your word for it."
It was mainly because he didn't feel comfortable going back alone.
"Let's talk."
Xiao Xiao looked toward the bathtub.
It was full of water.
Inside...
Just as Dan Zhe had said earlier.
A mermaid.
Xiao Xiao's lips curved.
He hadn't expected to actually see a merfolk.
And in someone's bathtub, no less.
This meeting... was both unexpected and fascinating.
The merfolk was startled.
Was this human... talking to it?
Was it the human's target?
It glanced at Dan Zhe, who was standing a little farther away.
Then it turned its gaze to the unknown visitor.
"Who are you?"
Just like the legends described, its voice was ethereal and beautiful.
It made people shiver involuntarily.
It felt almost like eating a mint.
A hint of admiration appeared in Xiao Xiao's eyes.
"Hiss~"
The white snake flicked its tail in displeasure.
Hmph.
Its voice was much more beautiful.
Xiao Xiao's fingers subtly stroked the white snake's head.
He looked at the merfolk, his eyes curving into a smile.
"Hello, I'm Xiao Xiao."
"I'm a friend of Mr. Dan Zhe."
"He has something he'd like to tell you."
Xiao Xiao turned around.
He gave Dan Zhe a slight nod.
Ever since Dan Zhe had entered the bathroom, his heart had been pounding wildly.
It roared in his ears.
He pressed his lips together.
He tried to suppress his nervousness and unease.